Plumbing

Warning Signs of Water Heater Malfunctioning Is Cloudy Or Milky Water From a Faucet Safe To Drink Is the answer "Yes" or "No" Knowing the cause of the cloudiness may help keep you health and safe. Are there any simple test that you can do? Do You Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater? As codes change over time and it's wise to safely install a new water heater, 7 Questions A Home Buyer Should Ask About A Septic System These questions could save you thousands of dollars or a big mess in your yard. Septic Tank Filter: Does Yours Have One & Where Is It? A good filter that is clean adds life to your septic system. Septic Tank: Warning Signs of Leaks or Damage Warning signs are often the first indication of the need for maintenance or repair. Top 8 Most Common Water Heater Noises Humming, popping, cracking, sizzling, ticking, gurgling and hissing noises occur for different reasons. If The Sewer Line Past the Property Line Is Clogged or Damaged – Owners May Have to Pay for Fixing Home owners are often responsible for clogs or damage past the property lines. Digging into city streets is expensive. Video Sewer Line – When do I need to video a sewer line ? Buyers may ask when should they video a sewer line on the house they're buying. To decide they need to know ... Water Pressure Too Low When the water pressure seems too low ... Corrosion On Water Pipes And Fittings What's that "Greenish" stuff on my pipes ? This may be a sign of several things. First it may be... Vent Connections / Carbon Monoxide Poison There are two basic types of water heater vents. Each has a specific method of connection and if not done properly, there can be several problems that develop. Water Heater Vent Clearances & Requirements The clearance depends on the type of material and if metal, whether its a single wall or dual wall vent. T&P Valve and Discharge Line Safety Hazards A $15 to T&P $40 valve can prevent a water heater from exploding. Hot Water Heater Temperature Settings  How to choose the right temperature for your home's hot water heater. Water Heater Straps for Earthquake Safety In earthquake prone areas, water heater strapping is required. Sediment Trap and Drip Leg on Water Heaters: Purpose and Proper Installation Often thought of as being the same, but in reality they are very different. The difference is... Water Heater Pan Water heater pans can save thousands of dollars in the event of a leak. Leaning Water Heaters Can Be A Safety Concern The "Leaning Tower of Pisa" is a great attraction, but it's not the case for a leaning water heater. Insulation on Hot & Cold Water Lines Cheap insulation on water pipes can make an impact Aluminum Tubing Gas Lines On Water Heaters Aluminum tubing gas lines ran to water heaters should be replaced. Water Heater Blanket and Insulation Water heater insulation blankets may help save on energy costs if they meet certain critera Water Heater General Information Water temperature should be under 120 degrees or cooler, should be drained once a year and can explode under some circumstances. Damaged or Cracked Septic Tank Septic tanks may develop a crack or get damaged from a number of cause. Know the warning signs of a problem. Leach Field Failure: Septic Tank Systems If toilets are backing up, the grass and dirt is soggy above the leach field or unpleasant odors are ... Septic Tank – General Information About 20 to 25% of homes in the US have septic tanks. Every so often they should be pumped and checked for... Squealing sounds – water pipes Water, like air rushing over a saxophone reed, will produce a squealing sound. Also squealing sounds can be made by... Gurgling sounds at sink The most common reason for a gurgling sound is... Dripping sound in area under sink When we hear a dripping sound under the sink, we think leak. But it may be... Banging sounds – water hammer Banging sounds from pipes usually come from... Rusted gas meters or gas piping Rusted gas meters and gas piping can eventually cause issues. Excessive Flow Gas Valves Added protection for the gas line to a homes water heater or stove can be increased by adding... Seismic shut-off valves on gas meters | Earthquake Safety In the event of an earthquake, natural gas lines pose a real hazard and automatic shutoff devices can mitigate this risk. Gas Meter Protection – Steel Post Protection: Called Bollards If a car can hit or back into a gas meter, then protection by bollards will help. How to shut off gas to the house Do you know how to shut off your gas? It's very easy. Just... Gas Valve Not Capped: A Hidden Danger When Selling or Buying A Home If not using a gas valve. Take a minute and place a 50 cent cap on it. Here is why... Corrosion On Valve at Sinks and Toilets With age and sometimes a very slow leak, greenish or whitish looking stuff gathers at the valve. It is a good idea to...